Stuff Antiques

I agree wholeheartedly with Ted S. Im going to talk about my experience with reproduction lighting to validate my opinion on buying ANTIQUE, PERIOD lighting.
I just finished restoring a 1785 home in New England and spent several tens of thousands on REPRODUCTION lighting. Had there been a place like Joe’s in New England I would have it made in the shade. (pun intended) I would not have had to settle for reproductions, I could have had wonderful charming treasures like the offerings at STUFF.
I just purchased a 1928 Tudor in Historic Phoenix and want to do right by the home. I purchased one Beautiful Tudor Revival Chandelier $ 1575.00 and a AMAZING Tudor Pendant light with glass shade for my porch for $ 475.00. I plan on spending another few thousand and my entire tudor will be completed in period lighting! I spent $ 2100.00 on just our hallway in New England that had 3 REPRODUCTION sconces, and they always felt «New» and never had the character that a true antique does.
ALSO I had asked Joe on more than 4 separate occasions what the price of my chandelier was and it was ALWAYS $ 1575.00. Also Joe put up with all my questions (LOTS) and multiple visits and even helped me decide on a theme of the lighting. He never steered me to the most expensive pieces and I feel was always very honest to me. He told me which ones had been restored, which ones were signed, which ones had original finishes.
I should also mention that the benefit to FINE antique lighting is if I was to ever sell my items from Joe (Never going to happen) I would recuperate my money, unlike anything mass produced today from say lamps plus, ikea or lowe’s.
You get what you pay for and STUFF Antiques is worth it!

Stuff Antiques does have wonderful objects. It is a good idea to go in knowing what things are worth. There are no price tags on items and I believe that the owner will take advantage of the unseasoned buyer. Unfortunately, I did not heed my own advice, and paid way too much for a number of items. They do very nice restorations, but do not give one even a ballpark figure of what it might cost or when it will be done.

Stuff Antiques is a period lighting fantasy land. Joe, the proprietor, has amassed a literal treasure trove of fine period lighting. He has an eye for the exceptional and his shop is literally filled to the rafters with only the best examples of each period and lighting style. Whatever style of vintage lighting you’re looking for, Joe has it. He’s got everything from Victorian to Arts and Crafts; from Art Deco to Mid-​century Modern and everything in between.
Don’t be put off if you arrive and the iron gate at the front entrance is locked. Do as the sign instructs and ring the bell. Joe is likely in the back restoring more fabulous lighting and he will come right to the front and let you in. Once you walk in, welcome to Lighting Wonderland!
Take the time to work your way among the aisles and aisles of lighting. Don’t forget to look overhead because that’s where the fabulous ceiling fixtures reign supreme. This place feels more like a museum of exceptional lighting than a shop, but everything can be yours. Joe also carries some antique furniture and vintage medical cabinets. Again, everything is the best of the best at Stuff Antiques.
I normally have a rule that I will not shop in an antiques store that does not having price tags. Joe does not have price tags on anything in his shop. However, he knows precisely what everything is worth and he has all the prices memorized. I have asked more than once about the same item on different visits and the price doesn’t change. This also isn’t a place where you bargain. The price is the price and that’s that. However, Joe has exceptional examples of everything and his prices are fair.
Joe also offers restoration services. The BF had a vintage lamp that he inherited that we took to Joe for an assessment. The lamp had been damaged by a well-​intentioned polishing in the past and Joe was able to advise us on the best course of action to restore the lamp to its former beauty and to optimize its value.
Besides being an expert on vintage lighting, Joe is also very engaging and easy to work with. I found a fantastic vintage Art Deco milk glass school house light at his shop that I just had to have. Unfortunately, I needed two for my kitchen that I was remodeling at the time. I managed to find an exact match to the glass shade on eBay and I took it to Joe and he was able to get me a set of matching vintage metal setups so that the shades are now a perfectly matched set. Joe offers the old fashioned customer service that chain stores can’t even begin to touch.
Take an afternoon to explore Stuff Antiques, even if you don’t need anything. If you have a lighting fetish, this can be a very, very dangerous place for your wallet. But it’s worth it to live with beauty on a daily basis.